Kimi Antonelli leaks details of F1 drivers' WhatsApp group including the two stars who are 'in charge'

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has given fans an insight into the Formula 1 drivers' WhatsApp group chat.

Heading into the 2025 season, the pressure was firmly fixed on Antonelli after he was chosen as Lewis Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes.

Despite the pressure of replacing a seven-time world champion, 18-year-old Antonelli has produced some promising performances, including securing pole position for the Miami sprint race earlier in the month.

Antonelli is currently sixth in the drivers' standings, five points adrift of Ferrari star Charles Leclerc and 45 points behind teammate George Russell.

Ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Antonelli gave details of the F1 drivers' group chat and revealed the two stars who are in charge.

When asked who is the most active in the chat, the young Italian said, via Autosport: "For sure George (Russell). Carlos (Sainz) as well. Because they're kind of 'the bosses' as well. Because they're in charge as well. So definitely them two are the most active.

"I'm the least active, actually, yeah. Just because I'm new, at the moment just, you know, listening and looking."

Antonelli was then quizzed on the most used emoji in the F1 group chat.

He replied: "Actually, it's a bit of a mix but also they don't use that much emoji to be honest.

"I'm a guy who loves using emoji to be honest. Sometimes I answer to people just with emoji, I don't even text, just emojis, straight."

Finally, Antonelli revealed that the group admins are Russell and Carlos Sainz, as well as Alexander Wurz, who is currently the chairperson of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

In another interview, Antonelli recalled his first meeting with his Mercedes race engineer and Hamilton's long-term ally, Peter Bonnington, better known as 'Bono'.

He said to La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Very nice. At the beginning, I saw him a bit tense because I'm a very physical guy.

"I like to hug people, touch them, and Bono wasn't used to it, he's more 'British'. Now that he's opening up I'm very happy when he comes to hug me."